EPIC files complaint against "stalker spyware" companies

Guilherme sez, "Last week Electronic Privacy Information Center filed a complaint with the FTC against several providers of 'stalker spyware.' These are companies that advertise monitoring software with language like 'can secretly record your wife.' Some also advertise 'remote install,' ie, you send an executable email attachment disguised as something else, and the recipient is unaware of the monitoring. EPIC's complaint alleges that these companies engage in unfair and deceptive practices. These companies promote illegal surveillance, they promote Trojan Horse email attacks, and they fail to warn their costumers against illegal uses. EPIC asks the FTC to stop these practices, seek compensation for victims, and further study this industry. Link to EPIC blog post, PDF link to complaint (Thanks, Guilherme!)

[#1 posted by noen , March 10, 2008 11:26 AM]

If you outlaw spyware only spies will have trojans. Wait, that didn't come out right and get your minds out of the gutter.

[#2 posted by cuda , March 10, 2008 12:08 PM]

"they fail to warn their costumers against illegal uses."

Perhaps they are going to a furry convention?

[#3 posted by Jeff , March 10, 2008 2:12 PM]

In many future SF societies there seem to be unusually high limits for activites that are normally considered "bad." This sort of "bad" software is being written to support bad human behavior. Isn't this an inherent quality to the 'verse? Counter measure software can now be marketed to defeat or prevent spyware from working. Data Wars.

[#4 posted by Susan Oliver , March 10, 2008 4:00 PM]

The marketing for this software just amazes me. Such cute happy people! Are these the customers or the victims?

[#5 posted by Agent 86 , March 10, 2008 6:01 PM]

My parents took the time and money to install BigBrother software.

First time I was on their computer after the installation, I noticed something was wrong, found the program and every file that it had stored (unencrypted txt files with all their passwords and bank info recorded as well), and deleted them all.

Then I had to spend the next half hour researching the darn company, and blocking every possible way for them to get to the companies website to reinstall, and to set up the computer so that none of the files would be able to reconnect to the internet if it was reinstalled.

I'll never understand why someone would pay to install a virus on their computer.